1. Hazel Riggall Clinical Specialist Paediatric Dietitian

2.  An overview of artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes  What’s new?  Recipes  Questions

3. Calorie -free  Aspartame E951(Canderel),  Saccharin E954 (Hermesetas)  Acesulfame K E950 (Hermesetas Gold- also contains Aspartame)  Stevia (Truvia, Hermesetas Stevia) NEW Low calorie  Sucralose E955 (Splenda)

4.  Extracted from a plant related to daisies, sunflowers and chrysanthemum (Stevia) found in S. America  Leaves used by indigenous population to sweeten drinks since 1800’s  Available in sachets or jar as a powder  ⅓ teaspoon Truvia = 1 teaspoon sugar  300 x sweeter than sugar (sucrose)  Approved for use in EU in Nov 2011

5. Sugar alcohols or Polyols (sorbitol, maltilol, xylitol, isomalt) Generally, not recommended as not ‘calorie- free’ and have a laxative effect, especially in young Exceptions:  Sugar-free gum (recommended by dentists as ‘toothkind’) –xylitol  Small amount of sweets (1-2 at a time)-isomalt

6.  Commonly added to many products  Sometimes used in products labelled as suitable for 'Diabetics'  Same energy value as ordinary sugar  Expensive if bought in powder form but cheap to produce  Can have a laxative effect

7.  All sweeteners have been approved by Food Standard Agency (FSA) and in EU by European Food safety Authority (EFSA)  Rigorous testing and 100’s scientific papers published

8.  Safe doses (acceptable daily intake or ADI) established. Unlikely to overdose  'Scare' stories appear in media/websites – treat with scepticism

9. 6 recipes developed…so far !  Thai style turkey burgers  Shepherds pie  Basic vegetable soup  Lemon and chilli chicken noodles  Simple pizza  Chocolate fondue/fruit for dipping  Any further ideas to develop???

10. Thank you